The S&P BSE Sensex index ended 166.07 points or 0.32 per cent higher at 52,484.67 and the broader NSE Nifty50 benchmark settled at 15,722.20, up 42.20 points or 0.27 per cent from its previous close.
Divi’s Labs was the top gainer among blue-chip stocks, ending 2.04 per cent higher. RIL, ICICI Bank, Coal India, Tata Consumer, Adani Ports and Indian Oil, ending with gains of between 1.07 per cent and 1.60 per cent, were among other top performers.
On the other hand, was the top laggard in the Nifty50 universe, closing with a cut of 2.20 per cent. JSW Steel, Britannia, Power Grid, Grasim, Hindalco, Asian Paints and Bajaj Auto, ending between 0.49 per cent and 1.24 per cent lower, were among other losers.
While declining Covid-19 cases, easing of curbs and a surge in vaccinations have helped the Nifty and Sensex hit record highs as recently as Monday, they have been unable to make any headway since.
“Domestic banking stocks gained although the RBI in its Financial Stability Report indicated that the gross NPA percentage could climb to a baseline of 9.8 per cent by March 2022. The rapid increase of Covid cases globally is having an effect on the international market,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services.
The RBI said in its Financial Stability Report, released on Thursday, that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the balance sheet of banks has not been as severe as projected earlier.
“On the global front, bourses are awaiting the release of the US job data to take clues regarding the US Fed’s monetary policy stance,” he added.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY. MORE TO COME…
